Bicycle-Carrier Device For Motor Vehicles

ABSTRACT

A bicycle-carrier device includes a brace for connection to the frame of a vehicle, and bearing supporting elements to support one or more bicycles oriented transversely relative to the vehicle. The brace consists of a transverse bar, and the bicycles are supported by at least first and second supporting elements affixed to the bar, in positions that can be adjusted along the bar, so as to receive and support from below the two wheels of a bicycle. Mounted on the bar in an articulated manner is an arm that can be shifted between a raised operating position and a lowered non-operating position. Secured to the bar in an adjustable manner is at least one third supporting element that receives and supports from below an element of a bicycle frame. Each of the supporting elements is provided with means for locking in place the part that is received.

The present invention relates to bicycle-carrier devices for motorvehicles, of the type consisting of a brace equipped with connectionmeans for connecting the said brace to the frame of the motor vehiclebehind the motor vehicle, and supporting means carried by the said bracein order to support one or more bicycles behind the motor vehicle, withthe bicycles oriented transversely in relation to the longitudinaldirection of the motor vehicle.

Specifically, the invention relates to devices of the type describedabove, in which the bicycles are not suspended from the bicycle-carrierbut instead are supported from below, by means of supporting elementsupon which the wheels of the bicycles rest.

A first purpose of the present invention is to implement abicycle-carrier device of this type whose structure is extremely simpleand economical to manufacture.

A further purpose is to implement a bicycle-carrier device of this typethat has extremely limited dimensions but that at the same time isextremely versatile, such that it can be designed to carry bicycles ofany dimensions and configurations, including bicycles with non-standardconfigurations, such as, for example, bicycles on which the cyclistadopts a semi-supine position, which bicycles are characterized by anextended wheelbase.

Yet another purpose is to implement a bicycle-carrier device of the typedescribed above that, in addition to displaying the above-mentionedcharacteristics of simplicity and versatility, can also be used easilyand rapidly.

The above-mentioned goals are achieved, according to the invention,through the provision of a bicycle-carrier device that includes:

-   -   A brace equipped with connection means for connecting the said        brace to the frame of the motor vehicle behind the motor        vehicle;    -   Supporting means carried by the said brace in order to support        one or more bicycles behind the motor vehicle, with the bicycles        oriented transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction        of the motor vehicle,

characterized by the fact that the said brace includes a bar that, whenthe bicycle-carrier device is mounted on the motor vehicle, extendstransversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the motorvehicle; and

by the fact that the said supporting means include:

-   -   At least one first supporting element and one second supporting        element secured to the bar in a position that can be adjusted        along the bar, in order to receive and support from below the        two wheels of a bicycle, respectively, and    -   An articulated arm that is mounted on the bar and that can be        shifted between a raised operating position that is        substantially orthogonal to the bar and a lowered non-operating        position, and    -   At least one third supporting element secured to the said arm        into position that can be adjusted along the arm, in order to        receive and support from below an element of the frame of a        bicycle,

with each of the said first, second, and third supporting elements beingprovided with means for locking in place the part that is received.

In the preferred embodiment, each of the said first and secondsupporting elements includes a body made of a cradle-shaped plasticmaterial in order to receive a respective wheel of a bicycle, with thesaid cradle-shaped body consisting of one single piece with a clampportion locked removably onto the said bar.

In this preferred embodiment, the bar is a hollow metal bar with aquadrangular cross-section, which, when in the mounted position on themotor vehicle, displays an upper surface, lower surface, a frontsurface, and a rear surface. The above-mentioned arm consists of aninverted U-shaped element, with two parallel branches whose ends arepositions respectively on the front surface and on the rear surface ofthe bar, and are joined thereto in an articulated manner about a commonaxis, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle whenthe device is in its mounted position. One of the two branches of theU-shaped element constituting the said arm has an extremity that isextended beyond the said axis of articulation of the arm and carries alatch that is suitable for engaging a seat formed in the bar or in anelement rigidly connected to the bar, so as to lock the arm in itsraised operating position. The latch consists of a pin slidably mountedinboard of the said extended extremity of the arm and drawn by a springtoward a position of engagement with the said seat. The said pin isconnected to a handle that can be grasped in order to draw the pin,against the action of the spring, toward a position in which it isdisengaged from its seat. The said pin is also designed to engage theupper surface of the bar or of an element rigidly connected to the bar,with the bar in the lowered non-operating position, in order to lock thearm in the said position.

Still with regard to the above-mentioned preferred embodiment, the twoparallel branches of the U-shaped element constituting the arm areassociated respectively with the above-mentioned third supportingelement and a fourth supporting element, each of which includes acradle-shaped body in order to receive the respective elements of theframe of two bicycles, with the said body being connected orientablyabout a longitudinal axis (with reference to the mounted position on themotor vehicle) to a clamp portion that is locked removably onto therespective branch of the said U-shaped element constituting the arm.

The above-mentioned third supporting elements are preferably positionedso as to support the bicycle frame, not in correspondence with itshighest element (that is, the horizontal tube, for a standard frame),but rather in correspondence with a lower element (typically thediagonal tube, or even the seat tube). As a result, the above-mentionedarm carrying the elements that support the bicycle can be relativelysmall in size, with a resulting reduction in the overall dimensions ofthe device.

The means connecting the bar to the frame of the motor vehicle includean auxiliary connecting arm extending orthogonally from a central partof the bar and having a facing extremity positioned for connection to ahitch on the motor vehicle, which typically is a hitch for pulling atrailer. In one embodiment the auxiliary arm is connected rigidly to thebar, while in a variant the auxiliary arm is connected to the bar in anarticulated manner about an axis parallel to the bar, and is equippedwith stop means so as to allow limited oscillation of the entirebicycle-carrier device in relation to the auxiliary arm, between anupright operating position and a tilted position, angled away from themotor vehicle, so as to facilitate access to the luggage compartment ofthe motor vehicle when the device is in its mounted position on themotor vehicle, even with the bicycles mounted on the device.

According to a further optional characteristic, the bar supports anauxiliary structure that includes a number-plate holder and taillights.

Thanks to the above-mentioned characteristics, the invention providessignificant advantages in terms of construction simplicity, versatileapplicability, reduced size, and ease and rapidity of use.

These and other advantages will become clear from the followingdescription, which makes reference to the annexed drawings, which areprovided non-limitatively and purely as examples, on which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of thebicycle-carrier device according to the invention, with the articulatedarm in its raised operating position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another exploded perspective view of another detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another exploded perspective view of another detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device in FIG. 1 with the arm in thelowered non-operating position;

FIG. 6 is a front view corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 5;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are enlarged perspective views, in partialcross-section, of a detail of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are perspective views that show various methods of useof the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views of a second embodiment of thebicycle-carrier device according to the invention; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail in FIG. 11.

On the drawings, the number [1] designates, in its entirety, abicycle-carrier device for motor vehicles of the type intended to beconnected to the frame of a motor vehicle behind the motor vehicle, withthe aid of a hitch provided on the motor vehicle in order to pull atrailer. The bicycle-carrier device according to the invention isintended to carry one or more bicycles (two bicycles, in the embodimentillustrated here) oriented transversely in relation to the longitudinaldirection of the motor vehicle, behind the motor vehicle (see FIGS. 7through 9). For this purpose, the device includes a brace structure,indicated in its entirety by number [2], that is equipped withsupporting means in order to support one or more bicycles.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the brace structure [2]consists exclusively of a metal bar [3]. In the example shown here, thebar [3] is a straight hollow metal bar with a quadrangularcross-section, which, when in the mounted position on the motor vehicle,includes an upper surface [3 a], a lower surface (not visible on thedrawings), a front surface [3 b], facing the side opposite the directionof forward travel of the motor vehicle, which is indicated in FIG. 1 bythe arrow [A], and a rear surface, facing in the direction [A], whichalso is not visible on the drawings.

The means for supporting the bicycle include at least one first and onesecond supporting elements [4] [5] intended to receive and to supportfrom below the wheels of a respective bicycle. In the examples ofembodiments shown, the bar is equipped with two pairs of identicalsupporting elements [4] [5] in order to support two bicycles. The formof each supporting element will be better understood with reference toFIG. 3, which shows an enlarged view of the structure of the twosupporting elements [5], with the structure of the supporting elements[4] being entirely identical. As shown, each supporting element includesa cradle-shaped body [50] made of a plastic material intended to receivea respective wheel of a bicycle in the manners shown, for example, inFIGS. 7 through 9. Each cradle-shaped body [50] is also equipped with afastening strap [51], one of whose ends is connected to thecradle-shaped body, with the other, free end being capable of beingsecured by means of a buckle [52] that is also associated with thecradle-shaped body [50]. The cradle-shaped body [50] is made of a singlepiece of plastic material, with a clamp portion [53] that has two jaws[54] that are suitable for locking between them the body of the bar [3],through the tightening of a screw [55] equipped with an operating knob[56]. The screw [55] passes through aligned holes in the jaws [54] andengages a nut [57] (see FIG. 3). Thanks to this arrangement, eachsupporting element can be locked removably onto the bar [3], in anydesired position along the bar. Naturally, the configuration of thesupporting elements [4] [5] and of the associated fastening means [51][52] may vary greatly from the example shown here. Each extremity of thehollow bar [3] is closed by a plastic cap [58] (see FIG. 3) thatincludes a stop block [59] that serves as a safety element, to preventthe supporting elements [4] [5] from sliding off of the bar [3].

With reference again to FIG. 1, the two pairs of supporting elements [4][5], intended to receive and support the wheels of two bicycles, aremounted in positions that are axially distributed along the bar [3],with the cradle-shaped bodies [50] located on the two sides of the bar[3], in order to receive the two bicycles in one of the manners shown inFIGS. 7 through 9.

The means for supporting the bicycles also include an arm [6] that ismounted in an articulated manner on the bar [3] about an axis [7] (seeFIG. 2) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle(with reference to the mounted position of the device). In the exampleof the embodiment shown here, the arm [6] consists of a U-shaped metalbar that is hollow and that has a quadrangular cross-section, with tworectilinear branches [60] that are parallel to each other and whoseextremities are joined in an articulated manner to the bar [3] incorrespondence with the front surface and the rear surface of the bar,as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the bar [6] can be shifted between an uprightoperating position, orthogonal to the bar [3], as shown in FIG. 1, and anon-operating position, lowered onto the bar [3], as shown in FIGS. 5and 6. The function of the arm [6] is to carry at least one thirdsupporting element [8] for an element of the bicycle frame.

In the embodiments shown, two supporting elements [8] are provided thatare intended to support the frame of the two bicycles resting on the twopairs of supporting elements [4] [5]. More specifically, each supportingelement [8] it intended to support one element of the bicycle frame thatis not the highest element of the frame (which, for a standard frame, isthe horizontal tube), but that is instead a lower element, typically thediagonal tube of the bicycle frame (or, alternatively, the seat tube).Because the bicycle frame is supported in correspondence with one of itslower parts, the arm [6] may be relatively short, with the resultingadvantage of reducing the overall dimensions of the device. Moreover,this arrangement is entirely sufficient to counter a tilting or momentload of the bicycle, due to the fact that the arm [6] has the U-shapedconfiguration as shown, with two branches [60] joined in an articulatedmanner to the bar [3] at longitudinally separated points, so as to beable effectively to withstand forces that tend to cause the arm [6] torotate about an axis parallel to the bar [3].

The structure and shape of each of the supporting elements [8] inaccordance with the embodiment shown here, can be seen more clearly inFIG. 4. In this case, each supporting element [8] includes acradle-shaped body [80] equipped with a covering element [81] made of aplastic material and having a knurled surface that is suitable forengaging, by friction, the element of the bicycle frame. Thecradle-shaped body [80] is mounted orientably about an axis [82], bymeans of a bolt [83], on a bracket [84] of a clamping unit [85], whichcan be locked onto the respective branch [60] of the arm [6] by means ofa screw [86] provided with an operating knob [87] that is suitable forengaging a nut [88]. This way, each supporting element [8] can besecured removably to the respective branch [60] of the arm [6] at anydesired position. Each of the covering elements [81] is provided with aretaining element that includes a strap or band [89] (see FIG. 4) of aknown type. With regard to the supporting elements [8], theconfiguration of these elements may vary greatly from the example shownhere.

FIG. 2 shows how, in the illustrated embodiment, the articulatedinstallation of the arm [6] on the bar [3] is achieved. In this case,the said articulated installation is achieved with the aid of a pair ofmetal plates [9] [10] that grip between them the bar [3] and that aresecured thereto, on its rear surface and on its front surface,respectively, by means of bolts [11] that engage holes [11′] formed inthe plates [9] [10] and in the front and rear walls of the bar [3]. Thetwo bars [9] [10] include upper central “ears” [90] [100] with alignedholes [91] [101] that are engaged by a pivot pin or trunnion [70]. Thepivot pin or trunnion [70] engages aligned holes in the branches [60] ofthe arm [6], thereby defining the axis of articulation [7], which islocated immediately above and adjacent to the upper surface [3 a] of thebar [3], as shown clearly in FIG. 2 and in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

As also visible in FIGS. 2, 6A, and 6B, one of the two branches [60] ofthe arm [6] has an extremity [61] that extends beyond the axis ofarticulation [7], and that is designed by reference number [61]. Thisextremity [61] includes a slidable latch, in the form of a pin [62] thatis drawn by a spring [63] toward a position of engagement with a seatthat forms an integral part of the bar [3] or an element connectedthereto. In the example shown, this seat is defined by a hole [102]formed in the plate [10]. For the sake of uniformity during manufacture,the plate [9] is identical to the plate [10], and therefore alsoincludes a hole, indicated in FIG. 2 by reference number [92], thathowever is not used. The latch [62] engages the hole [102] (whichpreferably is elongated vertically, in order to take into accountmanufacturing tolerances), in order to lock the arm [6] in its operatingposition as shown in FIG. 1. The latch [62] can be disengaged from thehole [102] by means of a handle [64] that is secured to one extremity ofthe pin [62] and that protrudes frontally from the extremity [61] of thearm [6] (see also FIGS. 6A and 6B). In this manner, the handle [64] canbe pulled in order to disengage the latch [62] and allow the arm [6] tobe lowered into the non-operating position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.Thanks to the fact that the axis of articulation [7] of the arm [6] ispositioned immediately above the bar [3], when the said arm [6] is inits non-operating position, then the latch [62] assumes a position abovethe upper surface [3 a] of the bar [3] and engages an upturned upperedge [103] of the plate [10] (see FIG. 6B), thereby preventing theunwanted raising of the arm [6]. The arm [6] may be returned to itsoperating position only when the handle [64] is actuated again in orderto disengage the latch [62] from the edge [103] of the plate [10] andthereby allow the arm [6] to be raised to its operating position, inwhich the latch [62] again engages the hole [102] in the plate [10].

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 9, the means for connectingthe bar [3] to the frame of the motor vehicle include simply an L-shapedauxiliary bar [12] with a straight branch oriented in the direction [A](see FIG. 1) and a vertical branch welded to the plate [9] (see FIGS. 1and 2). The opposite end of the arm [12] is connected to a hitch [13]with which the motor vehicle is equipped, in order to connect a trailer.(FIG. 1 shows a standard hitch used in the United States.)

FIGS. 7 through 9 show various ways of using the bicycle-carrier devicedescribed hereinabove. FIG. 7 refers to the case in which the twobicycles are both oriented in the same direction, while FIGS. 8 and 9show bicycles oriented in opposite directions, with the bicycle that isfarther from the motor vehicle shifted leftward, or rather, rightward inrelation to the other bicycle.

FIGS. 10 through 12 refer to a second embodiment, in which the partscorresponding to those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 andin FIGS. 6A and 6B are designated by the same reference numbers.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 12 differs from the onedescribed hereinabove solely in terms of the structure and shape of theauxiliary arm that connects the bicycle-carrier device to the frame ofthe motor vehicle, and due to the fact that the bar is connectedfrontally to an auxiliary structure [14], in the form of a crossbar,that includes a central number-plate holder [15] and two lateralsupports with taillights [16]. The said auxiliary structure [14] isrigidly connected to the bar [3] by means of fastener bars [17] that arewelded at their ends to the bar [3] and to the structure [14]. Moreover,as indicated, the auxiliary bar that provides the connection to theframe of the motor vehicle has a different shape, consisting of a hollowmetal bar with a quadrangular cross-section, designated in its entiretyby reference number [18], which is equipped at its end opposite the bar[3] with a fastener device [19] of any known type intended to connectedto the spherical body of a motor-vehicle tow coupling, in accordancewith the standard shape provided in Europe. The device [19] has anactuating lever [20] that can be shifted from a non-operating positionto an operating position in order to bring the fastener device [19] intoa position in which it grips the spherical body of the tow coupling, inaccordance with a known technique. The structure and the shape of thedevice [19] are not shown here, because they can be implemented in anyknown manner, and because these aspects, taken in their own right, donot lie within the scope of the present invention.

Still with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 through 12,the auxiliary arm consisting of the bar [18] has an extremity that islocated opposite the device [19] and that is connected to the bar [3],in an articulated manner about an axis [21] that is parallel to the bar[3], by a pivot pin or trunnion (not shown). In the embodiment shown,the bar [3] is rigidly connected, in correspondence with its rearsurface, to a U-shaped bracket [22] within which is received andconnected, in an articulated manner, the front end of the auxiliary bar[18]. The said auxiliary bar [18] is also provided with a transverse pin[25], with a square cross-section, whose extremities are guided betweentwo longitudinal slots [26] formed in the lateral walls of the bar [18](only one slot [26] is partially visible in FIG. 12), or else betweencurved slots [24] formed in the two lateral wings of the bracket [22].

In the normal operating state illustrated in FIG. 12, the pin [25] isheld by a spring [27] between horizontal end portions of the curvedslots [24], such that any relative oscillation about the axis [21]between the bracket [22] and the bar [18] is prevented, and thebicycle-carrier device is locked in its working position. The pin [25]may be carried as far as the curved section of the slots [24], inopposition to the action of the spring [27], by a metal wire [28] thatis provided with a grip [29] that protrudes frontally from the structure[14] so as to be readily accessible to the user. In this state, theentire structure of the bicycle-carrier device, along with the bicyclesthat may be carried on it, may be tilted, angled away from the motorvehicle, about the axis [21], in order to facilitate access to theluggage compartment of the motor vehicle. The lower ends of the slots[24] serve as stops that limit the tilted position of the structure ofthe bicycle-carrier device.

As is clear from the foregoing description, the bicycle-carrier deviceaccording to the invention, in both of the embodiments describedhereinabove, offers a series of significant advantages.

First of all, the device is relatively small in size, despite beingsuitable for receiving bicycles of any size and configuration. Thecradle-shaped bodies of the supporting elements may be positionedadjacent to the extremities of the bar, so as to be able to receivebicycles with a substantially long wheelbase, bearing in mind that thecradle-shaped bodies can be positioned at a distance from each otherthat is shorter than the wheelbase. For bicycles with a non-standardconfiguration, e.g., with a very long wheelbase, the bicycle-carrierdevice can easily be adapted through the appropriate dimensioning of thebar [3]. The supporting element that supports the bicycle frame isintended to support the diagonal tube of the frame or the seat tube, or,in any event, a part of the frame other than the upper horizontal tube,such that the size of the arm [6] that carries the said supportingelement can be reduced accordingly. The cradle-shaped strike of thesupporting element that supports the frame can be adjusted in terms ofboth its position along the arm [6] and its angular position about theaxis [82] (see FIG. 4) so that it can be adapted optimally to theconfiguration of the bicycle to be held. Analogously, the supportingelements [4] [5] upon which the bicycle wheels rest are positioned atthe optimal distance for the best support of the bicycle wheels. Oncethese operations have been performed, the bicycle-carrier device isautomatically calibrated for a given bicycle, such that none of theadjustment operations needs to be repeated the next time the same deviceis used with the same bicycle.

The structure of the bicycle-carrier device is extremely simple,consisting of a limited number of components (essentially the bar [3]and the articulated arm [6]). The latch device that can be operated withthe handle [64] is easy and rapid to use, and ensures the locking of thearticulated arm [6] in both its operating position and its loweredposition. In the latter position, the configuration of the entire devicebecomes extremely compact, for convenient and easy storage.

In addition to being simple and easy to use, the device according to theinvention is also characterized by a high degree of versatility,inasmuch as it is easily adaptable to different bicycle configurationsand also allows different relative positions of the bicycles, as shownfor example in FIGS. 7 through 9.

Naturally, without limiting the principle of the invention, the detailsof its construction and the embodiments may be varied broadly from theones described and illustrated here purely as examples, without therebydeparting from the scope of the present invention.

1. Bicycle-carrying device for motor-vehicles, comprising: a support (3)provided with connecting means (12,18), for connecting said support (3)to the motor-vehicle structure at the rear of the motor-vehicle, holdingmeans (4,5,6,8) carried by said support (3) for holding one or morebicycles at the rear of the motor-vehicle, with the bicycles orientedtransversally with respect to the longitudinal direction of themotor-vehicle, characterized in that said support comprises a bar (3)which extends transversally to the longitudinal direction (A) of themotor-vehicle in the mounted condition of the bicycle-carrying device onthe motor-vehicle, and in that said holding means comprise: at leastfirst and second holding members (4,5) connected to said bar (3) atpositions which are adjustable along the bar (3), for receiving andholding from below the two wheels of a bicycle, respectively, and an arm(6) pivotally mounted onto said bar and movable between a raisedoperative position, substantially orthogonal to the bar (3) and alowered inoperative position, and at least a third holding member (8)connected to said arm (6) at a position adjustable along the arm (6),for receiving and supporting from below a frame element of a bicycle,said first, second and third holding members (4,5,8) each being providedwith means (51,52,89) for clamping a respectively associated receivedpart.
 2. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 1, characterized inthat each of said first and second holding members (4,5) comprises acradle-shaped body (50) for receiving a respective bicycle wheel, saidbody (50) being connected to a clamp portion (52) which is removablyclamped onto the bar (3).
 3. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim2, characterized in that the bar (3) is a hollow metal bar having aquadrilateral cross-section, which in the mounted position on themotor-vehicle has an upper face (3 a), a lower face, a front face (3 b)and a rear face, and in that said arm (6) is constituted by an elementin form of an upturned U with two parallel portions (60) having endsrespectively arranged on the front face (3 b) and the rear face of thebar (3) and pivotally connected thereto around a common longitudinalaxis (7).
 4. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 3, characterizedin that one of the two portions of the upturned U-shaped elementconstituting said arm (6) has one end (61) extending beyond saidarticulation axis (7) of the arm and carrying a bolt (62) adapted toengage a seat (102) formed in said bar or in an element (10) connectedto said bar (3), for clamping the arm (6) in its raised operativeposition.
 5. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 4, characterizedin that said bolt (62) is constituted by a pin slidably mounted withinsaid extended end (61) of the arm (6), said pin been biased by a spring(63) towards a position of engagement of said seat and being connectedto a knob (64) which can be gripped to pull said pin (62), against theaction of said spring (63), towards a release position, disengaged fromsaid seat (102).
 6. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 5,characterized in that said knob (64) and/or said pin (62) are providedfor engaging the upper face (3a) of said bar (3) or the upper face of anelement (10) connected to the bar (3) in the inoperative loweredposition of the arm (6) for clamping the arm (6) in this position. 7.Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 3, characterized in that withthe two parallel portions (60) of the U-shaped element (6) constitutingsaid arm (6) there are associated said third holding member (8) and afourth holding member (8) respectively, each comprising a cradle-shapedbody (80), for receiving respective frame elements of the two bicycles,said cradle-shaped body (80) being connected to a clamp portion (84,85)so that it can be oriented around an axis (82) parallel to thelongitudinal direction (A) of the motor-vehicle in the mounted conditionof the device, said clamp portion (84,85) being removably clamped ontothe respective portion (60) of said U-shaped element (6) constitutingsaid arm.
 8. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 7, characterizedin that said arm is designed with dimensions adapted for the engagementof said third holding member (8) on a frame element of the bicycle whichis not the upper-most element of the frame.
 9. Bicycle-carrying deviceaccording to claim 7, characterized in that on said bar (3) there aremounted two pairs of said first and second holding members (4,5), withrespective cradle-shaped bodies (50) arranged on the two sides of thebar (3), for supporting the wheels of two bicycles.
 10. Bicycle-carryingdevice according to claim 1, characterized in that said connection meansfor connecting the bar (3) to the motor-vehicle structure comprise anauxiliary connection arm (12;18) extending orthogonally from a centralportion of the bar (3) and having an opposite end provided forconnection to a hitch support of the motor-vehicle.
 11. Bicycle-carryingdevice according to claim 10, characterized in that the auxiliary arm(12) is rigidly connected to said bar (3).
 12. Bicycle-carrying deviceaccording to claim 10, characterized in that the auxiliary arm (18) ispivotally connected to the bar (3) around an axis (21) parallel to thebar (3) and is provided with stop means (24) for enabling a limitedtilting movement of the bicycle-carrying device with respect to theauxiliary arm (18) between an operative upright position, and a positioninclined downwardly away from the motor-vehicle, for facilitating accessto the luggage compartment of the motor-vehicle in the mounted conditionof the bicycle-carrying device on the motor-vehicle, with one or morebicycles mounted on the device.
 13. Bicycle-carrying device according toclaim 1, characterized in that said bar (3) supports an auxiliarystructure (14) including a license plate carrying element (15) and rearlights (16).